Manx Museum
Manx Museum
4.5
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
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About
From Viking treasure finds, natural wonders of the world, the famous TT Races and wartime internment – you’ll find something to appeal to everyone at the Manx Museum. The museum has plenty of interactive displays, films and a wide range of exhibits which will help you uncover the Isle of Man’s history and heritage. Make a beeline for the Manx Museum early on in your visit as it’s a great starting point if you are looking to explore the Island’s heritage attractions. The National Art Gallery in the museum contains work from a number of famous artists including Archibald Knox, William Hoggat and John Miller Nicholson and there’s also a national library and well stocked archives for those visitors keen to explore the Island’s history further (open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am – 4.30pm). There is also gift shop located within the museum.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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  • Frqflier
    Brooklyn, New York544 contributions
    Someone Recommended This Museum and Glad I Went!
    A fellow hotel guest wanted that the museum was a 'time suck' and I'd spend more time there than I planned. She was right. I watched the movie about the Isle of Man's history and it added a lot to the exhibits. Free admission.
    Visited January 2020
    Written January 20, 2020
  • Nicholas D
    Larne, United Kingdom1,115 contributions
    Learn about the History of the Isle of Man
    The Manx Museum is the place to be if you want to learn about the history of the Isle of Man or if you want to get out of the rain for a couple of hours. The free museum is full of exhibitions of the past of the Isle of Man including an impressive Art Gallery, history of the vikings on the Isle of Man, the famous Isle of Man TT Race, Nature on the island and much much more. There is a lot of material and you can quite easily be overwhelmed by the shear amount of information that has been gathered to create this Museum but it is well worth a visit while on the island and you can even stop and reflect in the Bay Room Cafe afterwards.
    Visited August 2021
    Written August 21, 2021
  • PrestonGuild
    United Kingdom55,120 contributions
    Manx Museum
    There was some work going on at the time of my visit. I had to use a temporary entrance. It has been several years since my last visit. There has been a few new things added and the presentation of some exhibits has changed slightly. It is still a worthwhile museum to go to. Free entrance and you get to learn a lot about the history of the Isle of Man. It is a cosmopolitan experience from history, racing, art to natural history.
    Visited May 2019
    Written February 27, 2020
  • World Traveller
    London, United Kingdom469 contributions
    FREE ADMISSION
    Spent an hour and half at this Museum just to pass some time away sheltering from the harsh cold storm and the bonus when we arrived was that's its Free Admission. The place is your average sort of museum, going back many years telling the story of the Isle of Man and beyond with lots of relics plus interesting prehistoric memorabilia including short films and facts, their is also many sections on geology, medieval and the viking era with lots of fascinating facts. It's open 10.am - 5.00 7 days a week. Their is a cafe inside. In conclusion it's an average museum with cafe telling you the story of the island and worth going to see on a wet day or just whilst planning your holiday. Don't forget it's free and that's the bonus.
    Visited February 2020
    Traveled with family
    Written February 8, 2020
  • Mike
    Glossop, United Kingdom533 contributions
    Good Viking collections
    Various rooms focusing on different aspects and period of island life. Definitely worth a visit. Shame the cafe has been closed as it’s quite a lot to walk around in one go and being able to get a cuppa seems a logical accompaniment and good source of income. I bought a 5 day Go Explore Heritage pass for an extra £22 on the basis it included free entry to national museums, but many, like this one, seem to be free anyway!
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written September 25, 2023
  • alexandra160
    85 contributions
    Recommended by other people at our hotel while on holiday in Douglas.
    We had never been to the I o M before and had little knowledge of the island and its people. We did find the venue a little difficult to locate and can advise that it is necessary to take the lift from the shopping street which is well marked with a brown sign then walk along the multi storie carpark and take another lift. From there it is only a few yards to walk to a lovely red brick building adting from the 1920s. There are exibitions of military history, and of natural history including some fine examples of stuffed birds. further exhibitions detail ancient history, the holiday scene, and much more. There was a special exibition of clocks dating from 17th century which we found to be delightful and interesting. On leaving we spoke to the shop/reception lady who was most helpful. Although this is not ther biggest museum that we have ever visited it compares extremely well with bigger and better known museums anbd is a credit to the town of Douglas and the whole island
    Visited March 2020
    Written March 14, 2020
  • HUNTINGPARTY
    Sevenoaks, United Kingdom537 contributions
    What to do when it rains....
    Rain was forecast so we designated a museum day. The Manx museum is excellent. Staff are friendly (as was everyone we come into contact with) and pointed us through into the exhibits. I was a bit thrown at first because the early rooms are an art gallery showcasing Manx artists. We moved through quickly due to time constraints but I would like to go back sometime to look at the art in more depth. The layout of the museum after that was more traditional and showcased the story of Man and the archeological finds made on the island. Informative and enjoyable.
    Visited July 2021
    Written August 1, 2021
  • William G L Corlett
    Liverpool, United Kingdom190 contributions
    Great starting point to any visitors to the Island
    This museum will be a good starting point to any visitors to the Isle of Man. A great place to learn about the Islands history set in many stages of the museum, from the Vilking/Celts to the holiday Island era before the cheap European package holidays and the Islands local ferry company through out the years. There is a great sized cinema showing a good film which could of been better if it was played a little louder and the lights dimmed for a more atmospheric feel. The Island should be proud to have this museum with its many displays and an amazing local wild life section to explore.
    Visited July 2020
    Traveled with family
    Written July 25, 2020
  • LynnK21
    Warwickshire, United Kingdom262 contributions
    Really good insight into history of IOM
    This is brilliant. We spent a few hours in there and still hadn’t seen anything. So much to see. Lot of history of the island which was fascinating. Also impressed by some of the finds from Viking times - coins and jewellery. It’s quite a traditional museum - which I like - a lot to read more than a lot of interactive exhibits so younger children might find parts of it boring. Lovely gift shop selling good quality local products. Also a cafe. Would be good if raining but worth a visit when it’s not too
    Visited August 2021
    Written September 1, 2021
  • Alanthebairn
    Falkirk, United Kingdom876 contributions
    A really well laid out Museum
    The museum has an interesting and varied collection which covers the history of the Isle of Man from prehistoric times right up to modern times. Exhibits are well laid our and flow easily from room to room. Well worth a visit and its free
    Visited August 2021
    Written August 22, 2021
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
1,026 reviews
Excellent
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262
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3

World Traveller
London, UK469 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
Spent an hour and half at this Museum just to pass some time away sheltering from the harsh cold storm and the bonus when we arrived was that's its Free Admission.

The place is your average sort of museum, going back many years telling the story of the Isle of Man and beyond with lots of relics plus interesting prehistoric memorabilia including short films and facts, their is also many sections on geology, medieval and the viking era with lots of fascinating facts.

It's open 10.am - 5.00 7 days a week.
Their is a cafe inside.

In conclusion it's an average museum with cafe telling you the story of the island and worth going to see on a wet day or just whilst planning your holiday.

Don't forget it's free and that's the bonus.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mike
Glossop, UK533 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Various rooms focusing on different aspects and period of island life. Definitely worth a visit.

Shame the cafe has been closed as it’s quite a lot to walk around in one go and being able to get a cuppa seems a logical accompaniment and good source of income.

I bought a 5 day Go Explore Heritage pass for an extra £22 on the basis it included free entry to national museums, but many, like this one, seem to be free anyway!
Written September 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

alexandra160
Burton upon Ttrent85 contributions
Mar 2020
We had never been to the I o M before and had little knowledge of the island and its people. We did find the venue a little difficult to locate and can advise that it is necessary to take the lift from the shopping street which is well marked with a brown sign then walk along the multi storie carpark and take another lift. From there it is only a few yards to walk to a lovely red brick building adting from the 1920s.
There are exibitions of military history, and of natural history including some fine examples of stuffed birds. further exhibitions detail ancient history, the holiday scene, and much more. There was a special exibition of clocks dating from 17th century which we found to be delightful and interesting.
On leaving we spoke to the shop/reception lady who was most helpful.
Although this is not ther biggest museum that we have ever visited it compares extremely well with bigger and better known museums anbd is a credit to the town of Douglas and the whole island
Written March 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HUNTINGPARTY
Sevenoaks, UK537 contributions
Jul 2021
Rain was forecast so we designated a museum day. The Manx museum is excellent. Staff are friendly (as was everyone we come into contact with) and pointed us through into the exhibits.
I was a bit thrown at first because the early rooms are an art gallery showcasing Manx artists. We moved through quickly due to time constraints but I would like to go back sometime to look at the art in more depth.
The layout of the museum after that was more traditional and showcased the story of Man and the archeological finds made on the island.
Informative and enjoyable.
Written August 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

William G L Corlett
Liverpool, UK190 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
This museum will be a good starting point to any visitors to the Isle of Man.
A great place to learn about the Islands
history set in many stages of the museum, from the Vilking/Celts to the holiday Island era before the cheap European package holidays and the Islands local ferry company through out the years.
There is a great sized cinema showing a good film which could of been better if it was played a little louder and the lights dimmed for a more atmospheric feel.
The Island should be proud to have this museum with its many displays and an amazing local wild life section to explore.
Written July 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LynnK21
Warwickshire, UK262 contributions
Aug 2021
This is brilliant. We spent a few hours in there and still hadn’t seen anything. So much to see. Lot of history of the island which was fascinating. Also impressed by some of the finds from Viking times - coins and jewellery. It’s quite a traditional museum - which I like - a lot to read more than a lot of interactive exhibits so younger children might find parts of it boring.

Lovely gift shop selling good quality local products. Also a cafe.

Would be good if raining but worth a visit when it’s not too
Written September 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alanthebairn
Falkirk, UK876 contributions
Aug 2021
The museum has an interesting and varied collection which covers the history of the Isle of Man from prehistoric times right up to modern times.

Exhibits are well laid our and flow easily from room to room.

Well worth a visit and its free
Written August 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MIB-53
Larkhall, UK685 contributions
Jun 2023
I very well laid out set of exhibits, the staff were very helpful on arrival giving me an insight to what I would see and an advised route.

The Museum is free and relies on donations, give generously.

the exhibits were of great interest, each telling another part of the story. I particularly liked the Viking section and spent some time there. The jewellery in particular was amazing.

A very enjoyable couple of hours spent here, the museum is well laid out and informative, with sections for the children to investigate and enjoy.
Written June 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

keebar
Rochdale, UK43 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
The Manx Museum is a lovely example of a well designed museum. The displays take you on a brilliant journey through history. The Celtic display is especially interesting with a small video of how a skull has been reconstucted to show what the Viking of Balladoole looked like. The standing stone display is wonderful as are the artifacts that have been found on the Island.
I have to give a great big thumbs up to the gentleman in the cafe for his delicious Manx broth and to all the museum staff for being so helpful and knowledgeable.
Written September 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

the_big_b_dog
London, UK123 contributions
Oct 2022
The Manx Museum is the perfect place to gain an understanding of the history and culture of the island and its people. We spent roughly one hour here.
The highlight was seeing the Manx cat in the Natural History section.
Written November 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Manx Museum is open:
  • Sun - Sat 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
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